Family Pack

PreS-Gr 2—Markle imagines the life of a young wolf from Canada after she is relocated to Yellowstone as part of the effort to reintroduce the species to the area. The animal survives a year on her own, honing her hunting skills while she matures. After she finds a mate, the two hunt together until she settles into a den to give birth. The two adult wolves and four cubs become one of the successful family packs that have repopulated the park. Marks's watercolor illustrations capture the intelligence and strength of the predators. Although the story offers an interesting glimpse into the experiences of a pair of animals, Dorothy Hinshaw Patent's When the Wolves Returned (Walker, 2008) and Jean Craighead George's The Wolves Are Back (Dutton, 2008) provide a broader picture by explaining the significance of wolves in the restoration of Yellowstone's natural balance. Markle's title could serve as a supplementary resource to those titles.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato